UNIST and WISET Hold the '1st Future Women Scientists Forum'

November 4-5, Over 60 Female Students and Teachers from Science High Schools and Gifted Schools Attend

Taking the First Step to Nurture Female Scientists Leading Future Science and Technology Development

Poster of the 1st Future Women Scientists Forum.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] UNIST, together with the Korea Foundation for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (WISET), held the “1st Future Women Scientists Forum” over two days on the 4th and 5th at the Gyowon Dream Center in the Bomun Complex, Gyeongju.

This event was hosted by the R-WeSET Project Group in the Ulsan region of the Southeast area (Research Director: Professor Kim Hyomin of UNIST) to provide career design capabilities to female students of science high schools and gifted schools nationwide. It aims to contribute to nurturing future women scientists who will lead the development of science and technology in Korea.

Over the two days, about 60 participants including second-year female students and teachers from seven science high schools and gifted schools nationwide attended.

The program began with a congratulatory speech from WISET Chairperson Ahn Hyeyeon. Chairperson Ahn encouraged, “The role of women scientists in the development of science and technology in our country is increasing day by day,” and added, “I always support science high school and gifted school students actively seeking their vision as scientists.”

UNIST President Lee Yonghoon and Honorary Chairman Kim Myungja of the Korea Federation of Science and Technology Societies also supported the students’ steps toward realizing their dreams as scientists through video congratulatory messages.

Kim Eunjoon (KAIST Distinguished Professor), Director of the IBS Synapse Brain Disease Research Center, emphasized in a special lecture that “the participation and role of women scientists in researching various brain diseases that many people experience in modern society are increasing day by day, and science high school and gifted school students should have a vision as scientists who will solve these diseases.”

Afterwards, the students conducted group discussions and presentations on the vision and challenges of women scientists in the future advanced science era.

UNIST students participated as mentors in the group activities, supporting the academic activities of science high school and gifted school students to grow into future women scientists.

The top group presentation awards went to Kim Euna (2nd year, Busan Science High School), Kim Chaeyoung (2nd year, Ulsan Science High School), Park Yunhyung (2nd year, Daegu Science High School), Park Hyuna (2nd year, Busan Il Science High School), Yang Hyejung (2nd year, Gyeongnam Science High School), and Choi Yunseo (2nd year, Busan Science High School).

The excellence awards were given to Kim Minseo (2nd year, Gyeongsan Science High School), Kim Minjung (2nd year, Changwon Science High School), Ahn Sohee (2nd year, Busan Il Science High School), Lee Hyunseo (2nd year, Busan Science High School), Jang Yeso (2nd year, Ulsan Science High School), and Joo Minseo (2nd year, Daegu Science High School).

Kim Sion, a 2nd-year student at Daegu Science High School who participated in the two-day event, said, “It was a meaningful time to look at the present of women scientists from various perspectives with newly met friends and to help each other move forward toward the future together.”

Kwon Jongo, head teacher of the 2nd year at Busan Science High School, said, “Through this event held at UNIST, my students who were not confident about their future career as scientists renewed their determination and it became a good opportunity to devote themselves to their studies and research activities,” adding, “I hope more students will participate next year.”

Professor Kim Hyomin of UNIST, the person responsible for this event, said, “I was deeply moved by the passionate participation of all the students in discussions and presentations at this forum,” and added, “In the future, I want to encourage students from overseas gifted schools to participate in this event to contribute to nurturing global women scientists.”

Professor Kim Hyomin is a woman scientist who graduated from Gyeongnam Science High School and KAIST, earned her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in the United States, and has been working at UNIST since 2012.

UNIST is participating in the 2022 regional STEM women talent nurturing project (R-WeSET 2.0) in the Ulsan region of the Southeast area, supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Foundation for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology, and plans to actively implement projects to contribute to national science and technology development through nurturing women scientists.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.